Stewards announced on Wednesday that they were investigating claims that Cox had been responsible for the disappearance and possible sale of horses from where he had been training.

The claims were made a week ago by an owner from outside Sunraysia who had been paying up for the training of horses which had allegedly “disappeared”.

Mr Cox is also believed to have owed substantial money to a number of local business people and other persons.

He had come to Sunraysia from the Horsham area about 12 months ago and teamed up with an already established training establishment at Red Cliffs, Mr Cox trained at Horsham for soem years, after previously being based at Penrithm where he had settled after coming across the Tasman.

Here In Sunraysia he began training some of his own horses on the property and took over stable driving commitments.

Mr Cox reportedly left the district a few weeks ago around the time a Melbourne media report circulated expressing concerns from a Melbourne owner as to the whereabouts of his horses.

The HRV confirmed on Wednesday that they are conducting an investigation regarding the conduct of licensed trainer-driver Brett Cox.

Pending the outcome of this investigation HRV Stewards have suspended the licences of Mr Cox under the provisions of Australian Harness Racing Rule 183.